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United States Patent O??ce
1
3,092,613
Patented June 4, 1963
2
3,092.513
POLYMERIZATION 0F ACETYLENIC COMPOUND
WITH ALKALI-METAL BOROHYDRIDE AND Ni
0R Co SALT
George W. Kennerly, Darien, David S. Hoifenberg, Stam
ford, and James S. Noland, Greenwich, Conn., assign
ors to American Cyanamid Company, New York, N.Y.,
a corporation of Maine
No Drawing. Filed July 11, 1960, Ser. No. 41,787
20 Claims. (Cl. 260—94.1)
'
alkali-metal borohydride, e.g., sodium borohydride
(NaBHr), potassium borohydride (KBH4), etc.
The instant invention is based on our discovery that
the particular manner in which the components of the
catalyst system and the polymerizable reactant are brought
together is critical in obtaining maximum yield of poly
mer (stated with respect to the catalyst components)
with minimum consumption of the catalyst components,
particularly the alkali-metal borohydride. Since the
This invention relates broadly to certain new and use
ful improvements in a method of polymerization. More
particularly, it is concerned with a method of polymeriz
10 alkali-metal borohydrides are relatively expensive, any
thing that can be done to reduce the consumption of this
component will materially reduce the cost of producing
the polymers and, especially so, if such reduction in the
amount required can be effected while increasing (or at
ing a polymerizable material including (or consisting
essentially of) a polymerizable compound having acety 15 least not substantially decreasing) the yield of polymer
lenic (triple~bonded) unsaturation between adjacent car
obtained.
bon atoms, e.g., acetylene, CHECH, and the various
The results of our investigations establish conclusively
mono-substituted acetylenes, RCECH, where R repre
that an alkali-metal borohydride, speci?cally sodium boro
sents a monovalent substituent. Thus, the monovalent
substituent represented by R can be a monovalent organic
radical, examples of which are the monovalent hydro
carbon radicals and the monovalent substituted-hydro
carbon radicals. More speci?c examples of these rad
icals will be given later herein. The aforesaid polymer
hydride, will react in the absence of acetylene and at a
relatively rapid rate with a metallic salt of the kind used
in practicing this invention, speci?cally nickel chloride,
to give products that are not elTective catalysts for the
polymerization of polymerizable materials including or
comprising a compound having acetylenic unsaturation
izable material may be a single compound having acety 25 between adjacent carbon atoms (hereafter, for brevity,
lenic unsaturation between a single pair or a plurality
sometimes designated generally as “acetylenic compound"
(one, two, three or any higher number) of pairs of
or “acetylenic-containing compound”). We have also
discovered that it is wasteful of alkali-metal borohydride
adjacent carbon atoms; or it may be a plurality (one.
two, three or any higher number that may be desired)
of such compounds in any proportions; or it may be
to add it to the reaction mixture once the polymer of the
acetylenic compound has started to form.
As a result of the foregoing and other discoveries of the
one or more of such compounds admixed with one or
more other, different, polymerizable materials, e.g., po
limitations in the polymerization of acetylenic-contain
ing compounds using catalyst systems of the kind em
ployed in practicing this invention if one is to obtain
lymerizable compounds having only ethylenic (double
bonded) or both ethylenic and acetylenic unsaturation
between adjacent carbon atoms.
35 maximum yield of useful polymer at minimum cost, We
Illustrative examples of monovalent hydrocarbon rad
have provided a new and unobvious method for polym
icals represented by R in the formula RCECH appearing
erizing acetylenic compounds. The process is highly e?‘i
in the second sentence of the preceding paragraph are
cient in effecting the polymerization reaction at atmos
alkyl (including cycloalkyl), alkenyl (including cyclo~
pheric pressure; and, also, with respect to the consump
alkenyl), aralkyl, aralkenyl, aryl, alkaryl and akenylaryl.
tion of catalyst, in the time required for completing the
More speci?c examples of such radicals are methyl, ethyl,
reaction, in the overall conversion of the monomeric
propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, sec.-butyl, tert.-butyl,
acetylenic compound to a polymer thereof, in conven
amyl to tetracontyl, inclusive (both normal and isomeric
ience, and in the relative simplicity and cost of the ap
paratus required.
forms), cyclopentyl, cyclopentenyl, cyclohexyl, cyclo
hexenyl, cycloheptyl, etc.; benzyl, phenylethyl, phenyl 45 As has been indicated hereinbefore the sequence of the
propyl, phenylisopropyl, phenylallyl, ?uorenyl, dinaph
steps of the method is critical. Broadly stated, our new
thylenemethyl, etc.; phenyl, biphenylyl or xenyl, naph
and improved method of polymerizing a polymerizable
thyl, fenchyl, phenanthryl, benzonaphthyl, anthryl, naph
material including a polymerizable compound having
thyl-substituted anthryl, dianthryl and ?uorenyl, etc.;
acetylenic unsaturation between adjacent carbon atoms
tolyl, xylyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, isopropylphenyl,
butylphenyl, allylphenyl, etc.; and vinyl, allyl, methallyl,
propenyl, isopropenyl (beta-allyl), l-butenyl, Z-butenyl
(crotyl), B-butenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, butadicnyl, etc.
50
comprises (1) distributing (e.g., dissolving and/or dis
persing), in a liquid reaction medium, the said polymer
izable material and at least one metallic salt selected from
the group consisting of nickel salts and cobalt salts; and
It was known prior to the present invention to polym
(2) adding an alkali-metal borohydride to and incorporat
55
erize acetylene and mono-substituted acetylenes alone or
ing it in the resulting liquid mass, e.g., by stirring or other
admixed with each other or with other polymeriable
means of agitation. The order in which the polymeriz
materials containing ethylenic and/or acetylenic unsatu~
able material and the metallic salt are distributed in the
ration between adjacent carbon atoms. It also was known
liquid reaction medium is not critical since the polymeriz
that the polymerization of polymerizable materials that in
a-ble material and the said salt do not react with each
clude a compound or compounds having acetylenic un 60 other. Hence they may be distributed simultaneously in
saturation between adjacent carbon atoms is aided (and
the liquid reaction medium or in either order. The point
the properties imparted to the polymer are in?uenced)
at which the alkali-metal borohydride is added is, how
by the particular catalyst or catalyst system employed in
ever, critical. The atoresaid polymerizable material,
the polymeriation.
metallic salt and alkali-metal borohydride are each at least
65
partly soluble in the liquid, reaction medium employed.
The present invention is especially concerned with
new and unobvious improvements in the polymeriation
It is also an essential feature of the present invention
that the addition of the alkali-metal bonohydride to the
of polymeriable materials of the kind described above
liquid mass containing the metallic salt and the said polym.
and wherein the catalyst system employed comprises (a)
at least one metallic salt selected from the group con 70 erizable material is completed before any appreciable
(more particularly, visually noticeable) polymerization of
sisting of nickel salts and cobalt salts, e.g., nickel chlo
the said polymerizable material has occurred. The last
ride, nickel bromide, cobalt chloride, etc., and (b) an
step of the process prior to isolation of the polymer (in
3,092,613
3
cases where the polymer is to be used in its isolated form)
consists in allowing the polymerization of the polymeriz
able material to proceed to completion (or substantial
completion) at a temperature not lower than -—20° C.
The term “distributing” as used generally herein and
in the appended claims includes within its meaning “dis
solving" to form true solutions of the designated ingre
dient in the designated mass, as well as “dispersing" to
4
is above a 2:1 molar ratio of the metallic salt to the
alkali-metal borohydride.)
When the polymerization reaction has proceeded to
substantial completion under the temperature conditions
hereinbefore speci?ed, the polymeric reaction product
is isolated from the reaction mass by conventional meth
ods that are well known to those skilled in the art, for
instance as described in the examples which follow.
We have found that, in addition to dimethylformamide
form, for example, ?nely divided or colloidal dispersions
and N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone, acetone is a very satisfac
of the speci?ed ingredient in the speci?ed mass. The term 10 tory solvent for the polymerization reaction when the
“distributing” also includes situations where both dissolv
metallic salt is acetone-soluble as are, for example, nickel
ing and dispersing take place, as well as the formation of
bromide trihydrate and nickel nitrate hexahydrate. Since
admixtures wherein the additive is miscibie in any and
all proportions with the mass to which it has been added.
an alkali-metal borohydride reacts with carbonyl com
pounds, it is convenient to add the alkali-metal borohy
In carrying the invention into effect the acetylenic 15 dride, speci?cally sodium borohydride, in a solvent such
compound (alone or together with the metallic salt) is
as, for instance, an alcohol and speci?cally ethyl alcohol
generally added to the liquid reaction medium at a tem
which is much less reactive with an alkali-metal boro
perature of from —20° C. (advantageously from about
hydride than is acetone. When used in this manner, any
—10° C.) to, for example, about 60° or 70° C. or even
reaction between the alkali-metal borohydride and the
20
80° C. or higher. The lower temperature is critical
acetone solvent is su?iciently slow that it does not inter
(especially from a practical standpoint) but the upper
fere with the reaction between the metallic salt and the
temperature is not critical from an operative standpoint
alkali-metal borohydride to form the catalytic species
except that, in general, the yield of polymer goes down
which is the active agent that promotes the polymeriza
as the temperature of polymerization goes up. Usually
tion of the acetylenic compound. Hence, acetone can
the polymerization reaction is allowed to proceed to com
properly be considered for all practical purposes, as being
pletion (substantial completion) at a temperature of from
an inert (substantially inert), liquid, reaction medium un
about 0° C. to about +60° C., and preferably within the
der the conditions of the reaction.
range of from about 0° C. to about 40° or 50° C.
Illustrative examples of liquids that may be used as
The liquid reaction medium employed is preferably 30 the reaction medium are water; hydrocarbons, e.g.,
one that has a high solubility for the acetylenic compound,
petroluem ether, cyclohexane, n-pentane, heptane, octane,
as well as reasonably good solubility for both the metallic
nonane, benzene, toluene, xylene; aliphatic, cycloali
salt and the alkali-metal borohydride. One such solvent
phatic or aliphatic-substituted aromatic ethers, e.g. diethyl
is dimethylformamide; another is N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone.
As has been indicated hereinbefore the acetylenic com
ether, ethyl isopropyl ether, methyl heptyl ether, iso
propyl phenyl ether, hexyl phenyl ether, ethyl octyl ether,
pound, metallic salt and alkali-metal borohydride should
1,2-dimethoxyethane, bis-(Z-methoxyethyl) ether, tetrahy
each have at least some slight solubility in the liquid, re
action medium used in practicing this invention.
drofuran, dioxane; aliphatic ketones (especially those in
which the metallic salt is soluble), e.g., acetone, methyl
Upon completing the distribution of the acetylenic com
ether ketone, ethyl hexyl ketone, etc.; aliphatic alcohols,
pound in the liquid, reaction medium the metallic salt 40 e.g., ethanol, ispropanol, n-butanol, trimethylcarbinol,
(e.g., a nickel salt), if it has not previously been added
amyl alcohol, etc.; aliphatic nitriles, e.g., acetonitrile,
to the liquid reaction medium concurrently with the addi
propionitrile, etc.; and amides such as dimethylformam
tion of the acetylenic compound, is next added to said
ide, N,N—dimethylacetamide, etc. Mixtures of water with
liquid medium. The molar quantity of metallic salt em
organic solvents such as those mentioned above by way
of example may also be used. The chosen reaction
ployed is preferably equal to at least 1/1000 of the number
of moles of the acetylenic compound present in the liquid, 45 medium or solvent, if not normally a liquid, should be
lique?able at reaction temperature. As has been indi
reaction medium. It may be as much as, for example,
1/50 of the number of moles of the acetylenic compound
cated hereinbefore, the solvent advantageously is one
which is inert (i.e., substantially inert) to the acetylenic
in the liquid, reaction medium, but preferably is between
compound, to the catalyst components and to the reac
1,4250 and 174500 of the molar amount of the acetylenic com
tion product, more particularly polymeric reaction prod
uct, under the conditions employed in bringing the in
Upon completing the distribution of the metallic salt
gredients together in accordance with this invention and
in the liquid, reaction medium, e.g., a solvent, containing
in allowing the polymerization reaction to proceed to
the acetylenic compound, the alkali-metal borohydride is
added to and incorporated in the resulting liquid mass, 55 substantial completion.
.
The concentration of the acetylenic compound in the
e.g., a liquid solution. The alkali-metal borohydride may
liquid reaction medium may be considerably varied, for
be added as a ?nely-divided solid, but preferably is added
pound.
example from about 1% to 50% or even as high as 75%
in the form of a dilute solution (e.g., from 0.5% to 10%
or more by weight of the total amount of the acetylenic
by weight) of the borohydride dissolved in a liquid me
dium, speci?cally a solvent. The solvent advantageously 60 compound plus the liquid reaction medium. The mini
mum amount is the extent to which the acetylenic com
is the same kind of liquid medium that is employed as
pound dissolves in the reaction medium. The maximum
the medium in which the acetylenic compound is dis
amount is determined largely by practical considerations.
tributed. The amount of alkali-metal borohydride that is
To the best of our knowledge and belief any polym
added to the liquid mass containing the metallic salt and
the acetylenic compound usually is such that the alkali 65 erizable acetylenic compound of the kind described and
de?ned hereinbefore, or any polymerizable material con
metal borohydridezmetallic salt molar ratio is between
taining such a compound, can be polymerized by the
10:1 and 1:100, more particularly between 2:1 and 1:100.
sequence of steps and using the catalyst system that are
In practicing the present invention it is important that
used in practicing this invention. The preferred acety
the addition of the alkali~metal borohydride be completed
lenic compound is one represented by the general formula
before any appreciable polymerization of the acetylenic
70
compound has occurred.
Since the excess metallic salt is recoverable and re
usable, it is often desirable to have an excess of the
(I)
RCECH
where R represents a member of the class consisting of
H, alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aralkyl, aryl, alkaryl, and
metallic salt present in the reaction mass. (By “excess”
metallic salt is meant that amount of metallic salt which 75 cyano radicals, and mon-o- and poly (i.e., multi) esteri
3,092,013
5
6
?ed carboxy-substituted, mono- and polyhydroxy-substi
drying oils that can be employed, for example, as com
ponents of paints, varnishes, enamels, etc. Others can
be used as chemical intermediates, for instance in making
tuted, mono- and polyalkylamino-substituted, mono- and
polycyano-substituted, and mono- and polyaryloxy-sub
stituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl
polyalcohols, polymethoxides, methoxy resins, etc. They
radicals.
Examples of compounds embraced by Formula I are
can be totally hydrogenated to form saturated aliphatic
compounds. 01', they can be partly hydrogenated to yield
products having both saturated and unsaturated bonds be
tween adjacent carbon atoms and which, therefore, con
acetylene itself; monomethyl through monooctadecyl
acetylenes (including the isomeric forms thereof, and the
cycloalkyl acetylenes such as cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl,
cycloheptyl, etc., acetylenes, and other monoalkyl acety
stitute products having properties intermediate the totally
hydrogenated and non-hydrogenated polymers.
lenes; vinylacetylene (CHZ=CH—CHECH), 3-vinyl
In order that those skilled in the art may better under
stand how the present invention can be carried into effect,
propyne-l (CH3=CH—CH2—C'E CH ), isopropenyl acet
ylene
the following examples are given by way of illustration
and not by way of limitation. All parts and percentages
15 are by weight unless otherwise stated.
H:
EXAMPLE 1
1,5 - hexadiyne [CHEC—(CH2)3—CECH], 1,6-hepta
(CHj=C-CECH)
tadiyne [CHEC—(CH2)3-—cECH], 1,7-octadiyne, 1,8
alkynyl aoetylenes; the benzyl, phenylethyl, phenylpropyl
In a 2-liter, 3-necked, round-bottomed ?ask equipped
with a thermometer, gas-inlet tube, mechanical stirrer and
condenser is placed 800 ml. of absolute ethanol. The
and other monoaralykl acetylenes; phenyl, biphenylyl or
xenyl, naphthyl and other monoaryl acetylenes; the tolyl,
ethanol is then saturated with acetylene at 25° C. and
while the flow of acetylene at the rate of 0.75 mole/hr.
xylyl, ethylphenyl, propylphenyl, methyl- and dimethyl
is continued, the catalyst components, 357 g. (0.015 mole)
of NiCl2.6H2O and 2.83 g. (0.075 mole) of NaBHb are
nonadiyne, and other monoalkenyl acetylenes and mono
naphthyl and other monoalkaryl acetylenes. Other ex
amples of mono-hydrocarbonacetylenes that can be hom
added to the solution as solids rapidly and consecutively.
opolymerized or copolymerized with each other or with 25 Within a few minutes the reaction mixture becomes black
brown and evolves some heat. After 2-3 hours of ‘addi
other unsaturated substances that are copolymerizable
tional stirring and passage of acetylene gas, during which
therewith will be apparent from the illustrative examples,
period the temperature of the reaction mass is about 30°
set forth in the second paragraph of this speci?cation, of
monovalent hydrocarbon radicals represented by R in 30 C., the product is collected on a funnel. It is washed with
benzene, acetone, dilute hydrochloric acid and ?nally with
the formula RCECH.
water. After drying there is obtained 5 g. of polyacety
lene which is black in color and exhibits the characteris
tic infrared absorption at 1015 crn-l. This yield (5 g.)
lene are the mono- and poly- (i.e., where the structure
permits, di-, tri‘, tetra-, penta- and higher multi) esteri?ed 35 corresponds to 12 moles of acetylene polymerized for each
mole of nickel chloride hexahydrate and 2.5 moles of
carboxy-substituted, mono- and polyhydroxy-substituted,
Examples of compounds embraced by Formula I where
in R represents a mono-(substituted hydrocarbon) acety
acetylene polymerized for each mole of sodium borohy
dride employed.
mono- and Polyamino-substituted, mono- and polyalkyl
amino-substituted, mono- and polycyano-substituted and
EXAMPLES 2-15
mono- and polyaryloxy-substituted alkyl, alkenyl, alkyuyl,
aryl, alkaryl and aralkyl acetylenes corresponding to those 40
In the following examples the same procedure is fol
‘monohydrocarbon-substituted acetylenes given by way of
lowed as in Example 1 with the exception that in each
example in the preceding paragraph and elsewhere herein.
case a different solvent is used and also, in the case of
The speci?c names of some of the mono-(substituted hy
Example 15 only, a different nickel salt, viz., NiBr2.3H2O.
drocarbon) acetylenes that can be polymerized as here
in described, either alone or with other copolymerizable
materials, are propargyl alcohol, propargyl acetate, ethyl
propiolate, S-butyn-l-ol, 3-butyn-2-ol, l-ethynylcyclo
hexanol, 3-methyl-1-butyne-3-ol, and N,N-diethylarnino
methylacetylene.
45
The results are summarized in the following table:
Table I
SUMMARY OF YIELDS OF POLYAGE'TYLENE IN
EXAMPLES 2-16
Grams
Polyaect-y-
Illustrative examples of nickel and cobalt salts that
can be used in practicing the present invention are nickel
chloride hexahydrate, nickel bromide trihydrate, nickel
nitrate hexahydrate, nickel acetate tetrahydrate, nickel
naphthenate, nickel formate, nickel sulfate hexahydrate,
nickel sulfate heptahydrate, nickel oxalate dihydrate,
nickel orthophosphate, octahydrate, cobalt chloride dihy
drate, cobalt chloride hexahydrate, cobalt bromide hexa
hydrate, cobalt acetate tetrahydrate, anhydrous cobalt
naphthenate, anhydrous cobalt toluate, cobalt nitrate hexa
hydrate, cobalt formate dihydrate, cobalt oxalate and co
balt iodoplatinate monohydrate. Other examples are
given in the copending applications of Lionel B. Luttinger,
Serial No. 844,632, ?led October 6, 1959; Serial No.
857,495, ?led December 7, 1959; and Serial No. 857,498,
also filed December 7, 1959. These same applications all
disclose, both generically and speci?cally, additional ex
amples of acetylenic compounds that can be used in prac
ticing this invention. All of these copending applications
Example
Solvent
N 0.
Moles of Acetylene
Polymerized per
Mole of
lens
Isolated
NiCh?HrO
Heptane ____________ __
1
Ace tonitrile_ _
4
l0
2
Water _________ _Xylene ________ __
l
5
2. 5
12
0. 5
2. 6
0. 5
50% Ethanol, 50%
Water.
2
5
1
Diethyl other _______ __
6
15
3
Ethyl acetate
_
Diglymo___
Dioxane ____ _-
90% Dioxane, 10%
Water.
_
2. 5
NaBHr
14
36
7
16
41
8
9
23
5
4
10
2
Tetrahydrofuran ____ __
Dirnethylformamido _ _
22
28
56
72
11
14
N-methylpyrollidone__
32
82
17
Acetone l ____________ __
15
58
48
l Nickel salt is N lBl‘gBHaD.
EXAMPLE 16
are assigned to the same assignee as that of the present
Acetone is a very satisfactory solvent for use in prac
invention.
70 ticing the present invention when the nickel salt is ace
The borohydrides of sodium, potassium or any of the
other alkali metals can be employed in practicing this
invention.
The liquid homopolymers and copolymers resulting
tone-soluble, e.g., nickel bromide trihydrate or nickel ni
trate hexahydrate. Since sodium borohydride reacts with
carbonyl compounds, it is convenient to add the sodium
borohydride component in an ethanol solution. This
from the method of this invention are useful as synthetic 75 reaction is sufficiently slow as not to interfere with the
till“,
3,092,61 3
8
7
rapidly and consecutively as solid materials 1.0 g. of
NiCl2.6H2O and 1.0 g. of NaBH4. After stirring this
mixture for ?ve minutes, during which time the forma
tion of black, insoluble products is noted, gaseous acetyl
nickel salt-NaBH4 reaction to form the catalytic species.
The following procedure is illustrative:
Twenty-seven (27) grams of acetylene are dissolved
in 800 ml. of acetone at 0° C. and 2.62 g. of nickel bro
ene is bubbled into the stirred mixture at a rate of 0.75
mide trihydrate (0.0096 mole) are dissolved in the solu
tion at 0° C. (The solubility of acetylene in acetone is
greatly improved at the lower end of the temperature
mole/hr. for a period of three hours. Work-up of the
reaction product as described in Example 1 gives 1.0 g.
of polyacetylene. This yield corresponds to 9 moles of
range hereinbefore mentioned, and hence a temperature
acetylene polymerized for each mole of NiClz used and
of the order of 0°—5° C. is preferred when the solvent is
acetone.) The reaction mixture is stirred and 0.456 g. 10 1.4 moles of acetylene polymerized for each mole of
NaBHi, used.
(0.012 mole) NaBH, in 50 ml. of ethanol is added at
The following example shows that it is wasteful of
once. (The reaction is very fast, as evidenced by the
the alkali-metal borohydride, speci?cally sodium boro
fact that the reaction is essentially complete in less than
5 minutes.)
hydride, to add it to the reaction mass once the acetylenic
The product is ?ltered off, washed with
compound has begun to form.
fresh acetone, and dried in vacuo to remove all the sol
vent. The yield of product is 15 g., representing 57%
EXAMPLE 20
acetylene polymerized per mole of nickel bromide.
Example 18 is repeated except that in this case, in
stead of working up the reaction mixture directly, it
EXAMPLE 17
20 is re-saturated with acetylene, another 0.004 molar charge
A ?ve-liter ?ask equipped as described in Example 1
of NiC12.6H2O is added, followed by another 0.002 molar
of theoretical based on acetylene, and a ratio of 58 moles
is charged with 2,400 ml. of dimethylformamide (here
after for brevity sometimes designated as “DMF”) and
charge of NaBH4 solution, and the polymerization is al
mole) of NiCl2.6I-I20 is added and dissolved in the solu
tion, followed in a few minutes by 0.004 mole of NaBH,
added as a 1% solution in DMF, which solution also is
in Example 18).
lowed to proceed for an additional 30 minutes. Work
saturated with acetylene at about 30° C. It takes up
up of the resulting reaction mass yields only 18 g. of
75 g. After completion of the saturation 1.0 g. (0.004 25 polyacetylene (compared with 15 g. obtained in one pass
at a temperature of about 30° C.
EXAMPLE 21
In this example 0.04 mole of NiCl2.6H2O is dissolved
After about 5-10
minutes, a black solid starts to form and a mild exo
therm is noted. The reaction is allowed to proceed to
completion (‘A hour of stirring) at a temperature not
exceeding about 40° C. without further acetylene addi
tion. The product is then collected on a funnel, washed
30 in 800 ml. of acetylene-saturated DMF at 0° C.
A
small amount (0.002 mole) of NaBH4 solution is then
added to complete the polymerization in the usual man
ner.
Work-up of the reaction mass in the usual way
yields a green-colored DMF ?ltrate and 14 g. of poly
as described in Example 1, and dried in a vacuum oven. 35 acetylene.
The ?ltrate is then re-saturated with acetyl
There is isolated polyacetylene (21 g.) having the typical
ene, and the acetylene polymerized by adding 0.002 mole
1015-1 cm. absorption found in the infrared. This yield
of polyacetylene corresponds to 201 moles of acetylene
polymerized for each mole of either NiCl2.NI-I2O or
NiCl2.6H2O is used). The polymerization proceeds nor
NaBH4 employed.
of NaBH4 as a 1% solution in DMF (no additional
mally to give an additional 13 g. of polyacetylene.
40
This example shows that one can use a relatively
large excess of metallic salt, speci?cally nickel chloride,
EXAMPLE 18
The procedure of Example 17 is repeated except that
in this case only 800 ml. of dimethylformamide solvent
is employed and the reaction is carried out at 0° C. Un
der these conditions 55 g. of acetylene is present in the 45
and that the excess salt can be recovered without harm
to it and can be re-used in the process.
EXAMPLE 22
The general procedure described under Example 17
saturated solution. After carrying out the polymeriza
is ‘followed. In this case, however, 0.002 mole of
tion (with 0.004 mole of NiCl2.6H2O and 0.002 mole of
NiCl2.6H2O is used and 0.02 mole of NaBl-h is employed
NaBH4) and working up the reaction mixture there is
to produce 16 grams of polyacetylene. After collection
obtained 15 g. of polyacetylene. This yield of polyacety
lene corresponds to 145 moles of acetylene polymerized 50 of the polyacetylene on a funnel the ?ltrate is resaturated
with acetylene and an additional 0.004 mole of
for each mole of NiCl2.6H2O to 290 moles of acetylene
NiCl2.6H2O is added. No additional NaBH4 is used.
polymerized per mole of NaBH4.
In these circumstances no further polyacetylene is formed.
EXAMPLE 19
This example shows that a relatively large excess of
The following example shows the lower yield of polym 55 alkali-metal borohydride, speci?cally sodium borohy
dride, when used in the process is not recoverable as is
the metallic salt, and cannot be re-used. Since any ex
erized acetylene obtained per mole of NaBH4 used and,
also, per mole of Ni‘Clz consumed when the metallic salt
and the alkali-metal borohydride are added consecutively
cess alkali-metal borohydride is wasted material, such
excess adds materially to the cost of the process.
as ?nely-divided solid materials to a solvent, after which
an acetylenic compound, speci?cally gaseous acetylene,
is bubbled into the stirred mixture.
The unsatisfactory
results are believed to be due to the fact that the alkali
metal borohydride reacts at a relatively rapid rate with
the metallic salt, speci?cally nickel chloride, in the ab
60
EXAMPLE 23
To a stirred solution of 2 g. (0.0065 mole) of nickel
bromide trihydrate in 500 ml. of acetone is added 28
g. ‘(0.5 mole) propargyl alcohol. An ethanol solution
sence of acetylene to give products which are ineffective 65 (50 ml.) containing 0.5 g. (0.013 mole) of sodium
catalysts for the polymerization of acetylene. This does
borohydride is added at once, and the reaction proceeds
not occur when the metallic salt is added to a liquid
almost immediately to yield a black, insoluble solid which
mass, e.g., a solution, of the acetylenic compound fol
can be ?ltered. The product is a Water-soluble polymer
lower by the addition of the alkali-metal borohydride; or
of propargyl alcohol having a characteristic infrared spec
when the alkali-metal borohydride is ‘added to a liquid 70
trum for a linear, conjugated polymer containing primary
mass, e.g., an organic or other single or mixed solvent,
alcohol groups.
containing metallic salt and acetylenic compound that had
Conversion of monomer to polymer is 22%, represent
been added simultaneously to the said liquid mass.
ing 24 moles of polymer per mole of NiBr2.3H2O and
In the apparatus described in Example 1 is placed 800
m1. of dimethylformamide. To this solvent is added 75 12 moles of polymer per mole of NaBH4.
3,092,613
9
10
EXAMPLE 24
To a 500-ml., 3-necked ?ask, equipped as previously
described, are added 200 ml. of DMF and 30.6 g. (0.3
a rapid exotherm which soon subsides to about 35° C.,
and the reaction mass is stirred for 30 minutes longer.
The product is collected on a funnel, and after being
washed as in Example 1 it is dried in vacuo. There is
mole) of phenylacetylene. One gram (0.004 mole) of
nickel chloride hexahydrate is dissolved in the solution,
obtained 20.3 ‘g. of polyacetylene having the characteristic
LR. spectrum. This yield corresponds to 52 moles of
acetylene polymerized per mole of cobalt salt and 10.5
moles of acetylene polymerized per mole of sodium boro
and then the polymerization is initiated by a rapid addi
tion of 0.5 g. (0.013 mole) of ?nely-divided sodium
borohydride.
hydride.
The product is DMF soluble, and amounts to 15 g.
EXAMPLE 28
It is isolated by evaporation of the DMF. The infrared 10
spectrum is consistent with that of a linear polymer of
Employing the procedure of Example 1, and using
phenylacetylene containing conjugated bonds in the
polymer chain.
tetrahydrofuran as the solvent, a polymerization of acet
ylene is carried out at 65° C. The yield at this reaction
temperature is only 5.5 g. compared with a yield of 26.8
g. at 30° C. and under otherwise comparable conditions.
In a like test at 100° C., using dirnethylformarnide as
‘the solvent, the yield of polyacetylene is 6.7 g. This com
pares with a yield of 27.5 ‘g. at 30° C. with otherwise
This represents a yield of 37.5 moles of polymer per
mole of NiCl2.6H2O and 12.5 moles per mole of NaBH4.
Instead of adding the sodium ‘borohydride as a ?nely
divided solid, it may be added in the form of a 2%
solution in DMF.
EXAMPLE 25
300 ml. of dimethylformamide is saturated with acetyl 20
ene (6.4 g., 0.246 m.) at room temperature (20°—30°
C.). To this solution are added 10.2 g. phenyl-acetylene
comparable conditions.
EXAMPLE 29
This example illustrates the homopolymeriziation of
phenylpropargyl ether.
(0.1 m.) and 2.37 ‘g. NiCl2.6H2O (0.01 m.). The mixture
Into 80 ml. of acetone at 25° C. in a 200 ml, three
is stirred at room temperature while 0.01 mole of NaBH4 25
necked flask equipped with stirrer and tubes for gas inlet
in solution in 25 m1. DMF is next added. The reaction
and outlet are placed 10 g. (0.075 mole) of phenylpro
mass turns dark, but the product is soluble in the reac
pargyl ether and 0.82 1g. (0.003 mole) of NiBrz?Hao,
tion solvent.
and which are dissolved in the acetone with stirring. A
The product is isolated by evaporation of the DMF
under vacuum. The residue (8 1g.) ‘is a black, waxy 30 solution of 0.25‘ ‘g. (0.007 mole) of NaBH; in 10 ml. of
ethanol is next added at once, while stirring. The mix
ture turns black, and the resulting exothermic reaction
raises the temperature to 60° C. within 30 seconds. The
reaction subsides quickly, and the temperature drops to
mers. A ‘further study of this monomer system indicates
that this feed yields a copolymer having combined in its 35 40° C. ‘at the end of three minutes.
Evaporation of the acetone leaves 9 g. of thick, black,
molecule 83% acetylene and 17% phenylacetylene. The
oily product which is soluble in benzene, and has an IR.
yield of 8 g. corresponds to 26.8 moles of copolymer per
spectrum consistent with that of a linear polymer of
mole NiCl2.6H2O and to 26.8 moles of copolymer per
phenylpropargyl ether. This yield represents 90% con
mole of NaBH4.
version of monomer to polymer, and a yield of 22.7
EXAMPLE 26
40
moles of polymer per mole of NiBI'2.3HgO and of 9.7
solid having an infrared spectrum consistent with that of
a linear polymer containing phenyl groups. It is diiferent
from the spectrum of either of the possible homopoly
To a 500-1111., 3-necked ?ask at room temperature,
moles of polymer per mole of NaBH4.
equipped with exit tube, thermometer, N2 sweeping tube
EXAMPLE 30
This example illustrates the copolymerization of acet
and stirrer, are added 200 ml. DMF, 4 ‘g. NiCl2.6H2O
(0.016 mole), 5 ‘g. of ‘acetylene (0.192 mole) and 5.55 g.
(0.1 mole) of N,N-diethylamino-Z-propyne (N,N-diet’hyl
45
amino-methylacetylene). One gram of sodium boro
ylene and phenyl-propa-rgyl ether.
Into 300 ml. of acetone in a l-liter, three-necked ?ask,
hydride is added as a 10% solution in DMF. The tem
perature rises to 80° C. in one minute. It is stirred until
equipped with a ?tted gas-delivery tube, stirrer, and Dry
Ice-cooled condenser, are placed 0.82 g. (0.003 mole)
of NiBrQJHZO and 13.2 g. (0.1 mole) of phenylpropargyi
the reaction mass cools to room temperature (about
20°-30° C.), requiring about one hour. The reaction 50 ether. The reaction mixture is cooled in an ice bath
The result
while acetylene is added until the weight gain is 11 g.
mass is then poured into one liter of water.
ing brown precipitate is ?ltered off and dried. The prod
(‘0.423 mole). A solution of 0.5 g. (0.013 mole) of
uct, [amounting to 8 g., is a hard, black solid, which is
NnBH4 dissolved in 25 ml. of ethanol is next added.
soluble in aqueous mineral acid, more particularly HCl.
The reaction proceeds immediately, with exotherm to
It has an equivalent weight of 164.5, i.e., a possible struc 55 the boiling point of the solvent, and formation of a black
ture would be:
color. Isolation of the product results in 16 g. of a thick,
black, polymeric material. The LR. spectrum indicates
A
Et\N/
increased aliphatic C-H intensity at 2950 cm.-1, and
increased absorption at 1015 cm.-1 when compared to
t ‘i is
c
c
60 the homopolymer of phenylpropargyl ether. The prod
uct appears to be homogeneous, and is soluble in DMF
0
\CI/ \rf/ §(l1
H
n
a
and benzene. These observations, in addition to the
weight of the product which is greater than that of either
monomer, indicate that the product is a copolymer of
Eq. wt. 163
n
65
EXAMPLE 27
To a 2-‘liter, stirred reaction vessel containing 700 ml.
of tetrahydrofuran saturated with ‘acetylene, which solu
tion is at 1B, tempertaure of about 30° C., is added 14.7
g. (0.015‘ mole) of a commercially available cobalt naph
thenate catalyst (6% cobalt in an inert hydrocarbon)
which is completely miscible with the tertrahydrofuran.
Finely-divided, solid sodium borohydride (2.83g.; 0.075
acetylene and phenylpropargyl ether.
Instead of phenylpropargyl ether as a comonomer with
acetylene one can use, in any proportions, any other
polymerizable compound having acetylenic unsaturation
between adjacent carbon atoms including the mono-sub
stituted acetylenes embraced by Formula I, numerous
examples of which have been given hereinbefore. If de
sired, ethylenic compounds and/or compounds contain
ing both ethylenic and acetylenic unsaturation can be
added to the liquid reaction medium together with the
mole) is then added to the reaction mixture. There is 75 acetylene, and the mixture of polymerizable materials
3,092,613
11
12
polymerized in accordance with the procedure of this in
as that used in Example 29 except for the proportion of
vention.
reactants.
Into 100 ml. of DMF are placed 7 g. (0.0714 mole)
of propargyl acetate and 1 g. (0.0042 mole) of
EXAMPLE 31
This example illustrates the homopolymerization of
NiCl2.6H2O
2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. The same procedure is followed
as described under Example 29 with the exception that
the metallic salt is Ni(NO3)2.6-H2O.
The polymerization of the monomer is initiated by adding
a DMF solution of 0.1 g. (0.0026 mole) of NaBH.;.
Into 50 ml. of acetone are placed 1 g. of
The reaction is moderately exothermic, i.e., to the ex
tent of 10° C., and the product (1.5 g.) is a dark brown,
10 oily tar, which is a polymer of propargyl acetate. Infra
(~0.003 mole) and 10 g. (0.119 mole) of 2-methyl-3
red examination establishes it to be a linear polymer.
butyn-Z-ol. Addition of 0.2 g. (0.052 mole) of NaBH4
The yield of 1.5 g. of polymer corresponds to 5.9 moles
produces an exotherm of 10° C. The product is dark
per mole NaBH4 and to 3.6 moles per mole NiCl2.6H20.
brown, tacky and solid at room temperature. It weighs
EXAMPLE 36
15
4 g., i.e., 40% conversion of monomer to polymer, or
This example illustrates the importance of the mini
a yield of 14.9 moles of polymer per mole of
mum temperature of reaction in forming the catalytic
Ni(NO3)2.6H2O
species which promotes the polymerization of the acet
EXAMPLE 32
ylenic compound.
A stock solution of DMF which is 2.5 molar with
This example illustrates the copolymerization of acet 20
respect to acetylene and 0.005 molar with respect to
ylene and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. Essentially the same
NiCl2.6H2O is prepared. The solution is distributed
procedure is followed as described under Example 30
among several test tubes, each of which is immersed in
with the exception that the metallic salt is
a bath to provide a constant (13° C.) temperature.
25 Each contains 20 ml. of the stock solution. Into each of
the test tubes is then pipetted 2.0 ml. of a 4% sodium
Acetylene is added to 1 liter of acetone until the weight
gain is 32 g. (1.23 moles). Two and nine-tenths grams
of Ni(NO3).6H2O (0.01 mole) are added, and 16.8 g.
(0.2 mole) of 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol. One hundredth
borohydride solution. The following results are observed.
mole of NaBH; is added in 20 ml. of ethanol. The reac 30
tion mixture exotherms from 6° to 17° C., and exhibits
Test Tube N0.
Initiation
Temp,
period
‘’ G.
>24 hours.
>24. hours.
the characteristic polymerization color.
The puri?ed product consists of 10.5 g., of which a
small amount (1.5 g.) is DMF insoluble, and exhibits
only the 1015 cm.“1 absorption in the infrared that is
ca 2-3 hours.
ca 10 minutes.
<5 minutes.
typical of polyacetylene. The DMF-soluble portion ex
hibits a strong increase in the region of 1005 cm.-1 in
addition to the expected tertiary alcohol peaks, and is
obviously a copolymer, i.e., the expected copolymer of
acetylene and 2-methyl-3-butyn-2-ol.
We claim:
1. The method of polymerizing a polymerizable acet
40
EXAMPLE ‘33
This example illustrates the homopolymerization of
monovinylacetylene.
ylenic compound having the general formula:
wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting
of ‘hydrogen, alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl and alkaryl,
comprising distributing said polymerizable compound and
Monovinylacetylene is added to 200 ml. of acetone at 45 at least one metallic salt selected from the group con
sisting of nickel salts and cobalt salts, in a liquid reaction
medium selected from the group consisting of water and
organic solvents, adding to and incorporating in the re
sulting liquid mass an alkali-metal borohydride, wherein
The mixture exotherms at 10° C. The brown, acetone 50 said polymerizable compound, metallic salt and ‘borohy
dride are each at least partially soluble in said liquid re
insoluble product weighs 2 g. Its IR. spectrum shows
action medium and wherein the addition of the alkali
no absorption ‘bands characteristic of cyclic products. It
metal borohydride into said liquid mass is completed
exhibits the characteristic vinyl peaks at 905 and 995
before any appreciable polymerization of said polymer
CD174, and broad conjugated ole?nic absorption at 1600
55 izable compound has occurred, thereafter allowing the
to 1650 cm.—1.
polymerization of the said polymerizable compound to
EXAMPLE 34
proceed to completion at a temperature above —20° C.
0° C. until the weight pick-up is 101g. One gram (0.0034
mole) of Ni(NO3)2.6H2O is dissolved in the resulting
liquid mass, and the polymerization is initiated by next
adding 0.2 g. (0.052 mole) of NaBHr in 10 ml. of ethanol.
This example illustrates the homopolymerization of
2. A method according to claim 1 wherein the com
hexyne-l. The procedure is the same as that employed
pound having acetylenic unsaturation is a monosubstitute
in Example 29 except for the proportion of reactants.
60 acetylene having the ‘general ‘formula:
Into 100 ml. of DMF swept with N, are placed 5 g.
(0.061 mole) of hexyne-l and 0.89 g. (0.0037 mole) of
NiCl2.6H2O. To the stirred mixture is added 0.315 g.
wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting
(0.008 mole) of NaBH4 as a 3.5% solution in DMF.
Evaporation of the solvent in vacuo, extraction of the 65 of alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl and alkaryl.
3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the polym~
residue with hexane, and subsequent evaporation yields
erizable material is a mixture of acetylene and a mono
1.5 g. of a black, oily tar, which is a polymer of hexyne-l.
substituted acetylene having the general ‘formula:
It is established as being a linear polymer by LR. exami
nation. The yield of 1.5 g. corresponds to 4.86 moles of
polymer per mole NiClz.6HzO, and to 2.3 moles of poly 70
mer per mole NaBHa
EXAMPLE 35
wherein R is a member selected from the group consisting
of :alkyl, alkenyl, aralkyl, aryl and alkaryl.
4. A method as in claim 1 wherein the compound hav
ing acetylenic unsaturation between adjacent carbon atoms
This example illustrates the homopolymerization of
propargyl acetate. The procedure is essentially the same 75 is acetylene.
13
3,092,613
5. A method as in claim 2 wherein the mono-substi
tuted acetylene is phenylacetylene.
6. A method as in claim 2 wherein the mono-substi
tuted acetylene is propargyl alcohol.
14
17. A method as in claim 1 wherein the metallic salt is
nickel chloride and the molar amount thereof is within the
range of not less than 1/1000 and not more than 1,150 of the
molar amount of the compound having acetylenic un
saturation ‘between adjacent carbon atoms which is pres
ent in the liquid, reaction medium.
7. A method as in claim 3 wherein the polymeriza‘ble
material is a mixture of acetylene and phenylacetylene.
8. A method as in claim 3 wherein the polymerizahle
material is a mixture of ‘acetylene and propargyl alcohol.
9. A method as in claim 3 wherein the polymerizab-le
material is a mixture of acetylene and 2-methyl-3-butyn
borohydride is sodium horohydride, the metallic salt is
nickel chloride, and the sodium borohydridemickel chlo
ride molar ratio is between 2:1 and 1:100.
10. A method as in claim 1 wherein the metallic salt
19. A method as in claim 1 wherein the liquid, reaction
medium in which the polymerizable ‘material is distrib
2-01.
is a nickel salt.
11. A method as in claim 1 wherein the alkali-metal
borohydride is sodium borohydride.
18. A method as in claim 1 wherein the alkali-metal
uted is acetone and the metallic catalyst is an acetone
solu‘hle nickel salt.
20. The method of polymerizing acetylene comprising
12. A method as in claim 1 wherein the liquid, reaction 15 dissolving aoetyiene and nickel chloride in a solvent con~
sisting of at least one member of the group consisting of
is dimethyllormamide.
liquid water and liquid organic solvents; adding to the
13. A method as in claim 1 wherein the liquid, reac
resulting solution a solution of sodium borohydride, said
tion medium in which the polymerizable material is
20 nickel chloride and said horohydride being soluble in
distributed is N-methyl-Z-pyrrolidone.
the solvent in which the said acetylene is dissolved, and
14. A method as in claim 1 wherein the liquid, reac
the addition of the sodium borohydride solution to the
tion medium in which the polymerizahle material is
solution containing the said nickel chloride and the said
distributed is dimethylformamide and the metallic salt
acetylene being completed before any appreciable polym
is nickel chloride.
erization of the said acetylene has occurred; and there
15. A method as in claim 1 wherein the temperature
after allowing the polymerization of the said acetylene to
of the reaction mass containing the polymerizable ma
proceed to completion at a temperature within the range
terial, metallic salt and alkali-metal borohydride during
of from 0° C. to +60° C.
the polymerization reaction is within the range of from
‘about ——l.0° C. to about +60° C.
References Cited in the ?le of this patent
16. A method as in claim 1 wherein the metallic salt
is employed in a molar quantity corresponding to at
UNITED STATES PATENTS
least l/moo of the molar amount of the compound contain
medium in which the polymerizable material is distributed
ing acetylenic unsaturation between adjacent carbon
atoms which is present in the liquid, reaction medium.
2,728,757
2,728,758
2,773,053
Field et al. __________ __ Dec. 27, 1955
Field et al. __________ __ Dec. 27, 1955
Field et a1 _____________ __ Dec. 4, 1956